This Is Not About Bathrooms

Last month, the Trump administration began their rollbacks of the Title IX protections the Obama administration implemented for transgender students.

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 prohibits schools that receive federal funding from discriminating against students based on sex. Last May, the Obama administration implemented specifications that under Title IX, federally-funded schools must also extend these protections to transgender students and guarantee them the right to use the bathroom corresponding with their identity.

The Trump administration has already begun the process of withdrawing these protections for transgender students. This is a direct act of discrimination and prejudice against the transgender community and we cannot stand idly by while it happens.

The reversal of Title IX perpetuates the marginalization of the transgender community and undermines their rights to safety, respect, and acceptance. By denying transgender students the right to use of the bathroom of their chosen identity, you are refusing to acknowledge their humanity and very existence.

Supposedly this is a "protective" measure to prevent cases of bathroom crimes and sexual harassment. This argument does not stand. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, there has never been any reported incident of a transgender person attacking a cisgender person in a public bathroom. Moreover, a 2013 Williams Institute study reported that "roughly 70% of trans people have reported being denied entrance, assaulted or harassed while trying to use a restroom."

Transgender students are not the enemy -- they are the ones suffering and being failed by discriminatory legislation. We must establish and maintain protections for transgender Americans because no person should be told that their identity is "incorrect" or "invalid."

This is not about bathrooms, and it is not a matter of giving transgender, intersex, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people their own "special" bathroom to use ("separate but equal" ain't equal, people). It is about validating these already ostracized communities of people and acknowledging them as fully human. It is about ending the discrimination against those who don't fit the constructed ideals of what it means to be "man" or "woman."

Gender is a socially constructed system of organizing people into these two distinct groups of man and woman. The characteristics we identify with these groups have been constructed by us, by society -- which also means we have the power to deconstruct them. In order to protect our transgender citizens, we must work to eliminate the stigma they face because they somehow confuse this binary system so many people blindingly and ignorantly believe in.

Stand up for those whose voices are being silenced and help protect the human rights of transgender Americans. They are valid, they are worthy, and they are whole. It is our job to deconstruct this system of gender and oppression so we can reconstruct a society built on equality and tolerance for all.

30 Things I'd Rather Be Than 'Pretty'

Nowadays, we put so much emphasis on our looks. We focus so much on the outside that we forget to really focus on what matters. I was inspired by a list that I found online of "Things I Would Rather Be Called Instead Of Pretty," so I made my own version. Here is a list of things that I would rather be than "pretty."

1. Captivating

I want one glance at me to completely steal your breath away.

2. Magnetic

I want people to feel drawn to me. I want something to be different about me that people recognize at first glance.

3. Raw

I want to be real. Vulnerable. Completely, genuinely myself.

4. Intoxicating

..and I want you addicted.

5. Humble

I want to recognize my abilities, but not be boastful or proud.

6. Exemplary

I want to stand out.

7. Loyal

I want to pride myself on sticking out the storm.

8. Fascinating

I want you to be hanging on every word I say.

9. Empathetic

I want to be able to feel your pain, so that I can help you heal.

10. Vivacious

I want to be the life of the party.

11. Reckless

I want to be crazy. Thrilling. Unpredictable. I want to keep you guessing, keep your heart pounding, and your blood rushing.

12. Philanthropic

I want to give.

13. Philosophical

I want to ask the tough questions that get you thinking about the purpose of our beating hearts.

14. Loving

When my name is spoken, I want my tenderness to come to mind.

15. Quaintrelle

I want my passion to ooze out of me.

16. Belesprit

I want to be quick. Witty. Always on my toes.

17. Conscientious

I want to always be thinking of others.

18. Passionate

...and I want people to know what my passions are.

19. Alluring

I want to be a woman who draws people in.

20. Kind

Simply put, I want to be pleasant and kind.

21. Selcouth

Even if you've known me your whole life, I want strange, yet marvelous. Rare and wondrous.

22. Pierian

From the way I move to the way I speak, I want to be poetic.

23. Esoteric

Do not mistake this. I do not want to be misunderstood. But rather I'd like to keep my circle small and close. I don't want to be an average, everyday person.

24. Authentic

I don't want anyone to ever question whether I am being genuine or telling the truth.

25. Novaturient

..about my own life. I never want to settle for good enough. Instead I always want to seek to make a positive change.

The 2020 Race Is Feeling The Bern

This morning, February 19, 2019, Brooklyn-born Bernie Sanders announced he is running for president once again.

Unlike his run in 2016, though, Sanders now joins a crowded field of progressive candidates, one of which is Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

In Sanders's own words, this campaign is "about taking on the powerful special interests that dominate our economic and political life". Sanders went on to say that this is a "pivotal and dangerous moment in American history," and "We are running against a President who is a pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and someone who is undermining American democracy as he leads us in an authoritarian direction".

In his interview with CBS, Sanders explained that it is "absolutely imperative that Donald Trump be defeated", and described candidates whom he is running alongside as his "friends".

Regarding policy issues, his focus remains the same as in previous years, planning to focus largely on women's reproductive rights, lower prices for prescription drugs, and criminal justice reform.

Sanders is also widely recognized because of his goal of universal healthcare. His Medicare-for-all bill that was drafted in 2017 outlines the establishment of a "national health insurance program to provide comprehensive protection against the costs of health-care and health-related services". According to estimates, however, such a plan would increase federal spending by $2.5 trillion a year.

When it comes to education, Sanders plans to make preschool for all 4-year-olds free, aiming to fund this plan through tax increases on the wealthy as well as Wall Street transactions.

More widely acknowledged is his "College For All Act", which would provide $47 billion a year to states in order to eliminate undergraduate tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. Additionally, the act would cut student loan interest rates nearly in half for undergrads.

In terms of social issues, Sanders is pro-choice when it comes to abortion rights and opposes policies which discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, such as Trump's push to ban transgender people from the military.

The New York Times discusses the idea that the political field of the 2020 run might leave Sanders a "victim of his own success", in that the multitude of Democratic candidates are embracing policies which Sanders championed in the last race.

"Ironically, Bernie's agenda for working families will be the Democratic Party's message in 2020, but he may not be the one leading the parade," said talk show host Bill Press.

Moreover, victories by women, minorities, and first-time candidates in the 2018 midterm elections suggest that "fresh energy" is preferred by Democrats, which potentially poses a challenge for Sanders.

Conversely, though, Sanders is also starting off with certain advantages, such as a "massive lead among low-dollar donors that is roughly equivalent to the donor base of all the other Democratic hopefuls combined".

Donald Trump responded to Sanders's announcement by saying, "First of all I think he missed his time, but... I like Bernie. He sort of would agree on trade... the problem is he doesn't know what to do about it. But I wish Bernie well."

By and large, Sanders is another strong candidate, and it will be interesting to see if he can generate the same energy and support now that he did in 2016.